The Tysen Hotel

Nothing in the air Saturday evening in May of 1950 predicts that from Naomi Hollisters kitchen at the Tysen Hotel to the pulpit of the First Baptist Church, few will be left unscarred in body or spirit by the conflict that erupts at Tysens Annual Pie Supper.

Certainly, Naomi cant know the fight that begins between Sample Forney and Ray Redeem will be one she takes up. She cant guess her opponent will not be Sample Forney, who lusts after young Alice Tolney, or Alices father, Webster Tolney, who agrees to barter her away to Sample. But the challenge is Naomis own Baptist preacher, Busby Howard, a man who likes wearing his mantle in Tysen; it marks him as the leader of his com-munity. In small Missouri towns, most of the folks know the Trinity is made up of God, the Father; God, the Son; and god, the Baptist preacher. Howard is no exception, and he makes sure his flock understands.

The Tysen Hotel presents a novel of the struggle for love and faith against an onslaught of greed, lust, and a preachers damnation in a small town in the foot-hills of the Ozarks.